Ryan Montbleau Welcomes Mike Gordon & Lyle Brewer At Higher Ground

Singer-songwriter Ryan Montbleau closed out his March tour on Saturday night with a concert at Higher Ground in South Burlington, Vermont. Montbleau was joined by opener Lyle Brewer, Phish bassist Mike Gordon and additional guests for multiple songs at the end of the show.

Ryan Montbleau took the stage at Higher Ground for a solo acoustic performance. Former Neighbor guitarist Lyle Brewer emerged late in Montbleau’s set to join Ryan for “Quickie.” Mike Gordon then came out to accompany Brewer and Montbleau on “Songbird.”

“When you’re surrounded by geniuses something good is going to happen,” Montbleau exclaimed as Brewer and Gordon exchanged licks on electric guitar and bass, respectively. “This is the greatest moment of my life,” Ryan added before chiming in on the “Songbird” jam with his acoustic guitar.

Ryan Montbleau worked The Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance” into his own song “Honeymoon Eyes” to end the set. Montbleau, Brewer and Gordon were joined by drummer Dwight Ritcher and saxophonist Jon McBride for the “Neutron Dance”/”Honeymoon Eyes” pairing.

Ryan Montbleau returned for the encore with Mike Gordon, Lyle Brewer, Jon McBride and Dwight Ritcher in tow. The five musicians teamed up on a cover of the Bill Withers classic “Use Me” to wrap the concert.

Stream an audience recording of Ryan Montbleau’s guest-filled Higher Ground show taped by Phil Fernandez:

Setlist (via Phil Fernandez & Phish.net)

Set: Warning Bell, Time And Again, Stretch, Hot Coffee In A Paper Cup, Ghosts, Ships In The Night, New Song, Ankles, Gone Are The Days, 75 And Sunny, Maybe, Break The Silence, Closer To God, I Was Just Leaving, Bright Side, Call Your Mother, I Can’t Wait, Quickie*, Songbird**, Neutron Dance*** > Honeymoon Eyes***

Encore: Use Me***

• * – with Lyle Brewer on guitar
• ** – with Lyle Brewer on guitar and Mike Gordon on bass
• *** – with Lyle Brewer on guitar, Mike Gordon on bass, Dwight Ritcher on drums and Jon McBride on saxophone